Benefits

What housing aid is available for people with disabilities in France?

There are a number of benefits to help you adapt your home to offer more independence and usability

Change for foreign residents and eligibility to family benefit in France

People will only be able to obtain family benefits if they spend majority of the year in the country

Emergency cash, care advice: Nine ways a French social worker can help

We look at the role of social workers in France and the support they offer to those in need

French benefit explainer: Aspa low pension income top-up

We look at who is eligible, how to apply and why only half those entitled to the retirement aid apply

French jobseeker rebrand aims to inspire ‘active’ take on employment

Ditching the old ‘Pôle Emploi’ moniker is accompanied by plans to make people on unemployment benefits do weekly ‘insertion’ work

Are freelancers entitled to France's professional training credits?

The credits allow workers in France to develop their skills or even retrain

Unemployed in France must promise to do weekly activity in new trial

A minimum of 15 hours a week is expected but has been criticised for ‘further stigmatising the poorest in society’

Fuel, Prime de Noël, Covid: 9 December 2022 dates to note in France

Key dates include an end to fuel rebates and the 4% electricity cap, aid for wood-fired homes and gadget repairs, Christmas bonuses, new mask recommendations and long-Covid help

Explainer: What help is there for people who are carers in France?

We explain the leave and compensation rights for people who care in a non-professional capacity for someone close to them

Automatic payment trialled for French housing and income top-up aids

Many benefits remain unclaimed by those eligible for reasons such as perceived stigma or living far from Caf benefits offices

Labour shortage: France plans to tighten unemployment benefit rules

The government hopes to bring the unemployment rate down to 5% by 2027. It is currently at 7.4%

Family benefits due to stop for Britons in France if no residency card

The benefits agency Caf says it is seeking an urgent solution, notably after we flagged up the likely problem of some eligible Britons not having cards on January 1

What about DLA benefit and pensions after Brexit?

I receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in France from the UK government and pay tax in the UK on my medical pension. What will happen to these after Brexit? G.L.

Can foreign residents claim France’s pension top-up benefit?

The monthly Aspa benefit is up to €906 for a single person and does not always depend on having paid into the French social security system

Who is eligible for €1,000 payment for unemployed people in France?

The money will be given to some jobseekers to provide encouragement, and give funding to complete training courses with companies that are hiring

Eight changes for residents in France from October 2021

October brings changing clocks, new rules for travel from France to the UK, and changes for workers and jobseekers, as well as an extension to the deadline for holding Brexit Withdrawal Agreement residency cards

Macron announces labour law changes for self-employed in France

New measures offer greater financial protections and simplified administration processes if you work for yourself. We explain the changes and how to claim benefits

Back to school financial grant is on the way to 3 million French homes

The amount depends on household income, number of children at school, and their age; and is intended to help with the rising cost of ‘la rentrée’

France cracks down on benefit fraud with new ‘super checker’ taskforce

The team will include ex-private detectives and former tax agents and will be authorised to chase down serious fraudsters across department lines

What’s new for residents in France in June 2021?

A delay to summer sales, new double authentication for online payments, rising gas prices, and a ban on older diesel vehicles in Greater Paris are among key changes this month

New €500 aid for young job seekers in France to start this summer

Aid will be given on condition of undertaking an ‘intensive’ job hunt

French mayor cuts family benefits to stop delinquency

The mayor of Valence has stopped access to benefits for some families in response to violent protests in November

Christmas bonus for 2.5million French households

Government unveils special seasonal payment for recipients of certain benefits

One-off French state Covid-19 aid payments due this week

Some modest income households across France are set to receive additional government coronavirus-related payment

Restaurants say French Covid curfew will force closure

The government has not ordered restaurants to close, but owners say they will have to anyway.

Covid-19: France's partial unemployment scheme extended

Companies covered by a scheme for long-term partial unemployment benefits will have access to it for up to two years. Some companies not covered will have access to it until November 1.

France to give €150-€1,500 to key staff and families

Four million low-income households in France are set to receive at least €150 each to help overcome the Covid-19 crisis, as the government confirms grants of up to €1,500 for frontline staff and key workers.

French ski workers threaten holiday strike

Protest against impending reform of unemployment rights would affect thousands of seasonal workers at ski resorts, union says

Financial kick-start for sole traders to be cut

Financial benefits offered to small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs for three years to help them get off the ground are to be significantly reduced.

French Sécu targeting lies and fraud

Staff at the Sécu Sécurité Sociale are to be trained to detect benefit cheats in an attempt to cut a fraud bill estimated at €590million – or even higher.

Is French Aspa benefit repayable from my estate?

I receive Aspa income top-up benefit in France. I have been told this has to all be reimbursed from my estate after my death – is this true? F.M.

Government plans 'universal benefits' income plan

At least 5million people would be affected by the planned reforms

Chômage changes help self-employed in France

As an independent worker in France, I believe I do not have any right to unemployment benefit, but that this is changing. When will it happen and how will it work? Is it definite? How will the amount we receive be worked out? J.S.

Tougher sanctions as job-seekers told to take less pay

Tougher measures to force jobless people to do more to find work could see benefits removed for four months.

Are you eligible for prime d'activité?

Deadline looming for next round of payments

Tougher sanctions for failing to seek work

Unemployed people claiming state benefits in France now face stronger sanctions - including the suspension of payments for up to four months - if they miss meetings or other key obligations.

Benefits rethink in €8bn fight on poverty in France

Broad welcome for plans but ‘they need to go further’

Macron defends his plans for France as popularity dips

President Emmanuel Macron has defended his plans for his presidency - focusing especially on business and welfare - in an address to 900 MPs and Senators at the Palace of Versailles this week.

French councillors keen for base revenue test

French Court backs ‘voluntary work for benefits’ idea

People on France’s most common welfare benefit, the revenue de solidarité active RSA, may be required by their department to do ‘voluntary’ work after a ruling by the country’s highest administrative court.

Macron bemoans France's 'crazy money' welfare spend

The President's phrase was widely criticised for showing 'class contempt'

What changes in France in April

Family allowances given a boost, falling gas prices, a new look for the carnet de sante, and an extra safety feature on new cars

What is tax benefit of money in will to charity?

I know that you can receive a significant crédit d’impôt (tax credit) on donations made to approved French charities. However what happens if you wish to donate to charities from the part of your estate that is disponible after you die? Is there any tax advantage to this? Can you advise on how to leave money to charity in the most efficient way for the charity and for the other heirs? M.R.

Boost for 4m households as energy cheque extended

Since the beginning of the year, the chèque énergie has become the new winter benefit

A little extra help for poorer families this Christmas

Prime de noël is renewed for another year, with 2.5 million people eligible

Couple fight to give their family allowance back

Disagreements with social security officials are nothing new - but this is a little different